Vac Schemes 2012: The early bird catches the firm!

17 answers with a 0.2 chance of success (I'm assuming nobody can actually do those questions, so essentially you have the same chance as if you just guessed, and I think there are five options?) means you got 3.4/24, which probably puts you in the top 1% of scores for that test. A training contract is winging its way to you as we speak.

PFO from Jones Day to add to the pile

just had an interview with BLP. totally crushed.

Anyone heard anything from Travers Smith regarding Winter Vac Schemes? Or Hogan Lovells for their non-law open event?

just had an interview with BLP. totally crushed.

Oh dear why what happened? Was it the negotiation?

sorry to hear that , I have an interview with them next week. what was it like?

I think they are looking for a time when you have used your initiative e.g. come up with an effective new idea, successfully solved a problem etc. I would have answered it that way (and possibly did last year as it sounds familiar... which firm is it?)

If you are having trouble when it comes to this kind of question, it might be helpful to keep a list where you note down your strongest examples from work, ECs etc along with the competencies/question types which fit them. Then when you are faced with a few of these questions you can easily mix and match your stock answers, obviously tweaking them a bit to fit and mirror the language of the question.



Definitely don't repeat the same information but yes you can refer back to a time period that you have already mentioned in another section. It can be a good idea to save a little something extra for the further info box. If you draw on your employment or voluntary experience again you should make a different point, e.g. I had a job which was obviously listed in the employment section but under further info I sometimes wrote about ability to build client relationships and gave an example of how I went "the extra mile" for one particular client which resulted in winning more business for the firm. I sometimes used that example in a relevant competency Q but if not I put it in the "further info" for firms which really like to emphasise how client orientated they are. I think it can be good to pick a little example like that which matches the firm's values or the way it sees/markets itself if possible.

Hope that's helpful.

Clifford Chance PFO...boo

This is such an awful process... unless you went to Oxbridge - in which case you'll be straight in the door for an interview, regardless of whether you're a soulless drone or not!

To those who've heard from Clifford Chance, is that for the winter workshop? If so how long ago did you submit and how long ago did you complete the verbal reasoning test?